TOLL EXPRESS LANES IN THE NETHERLANDS: ON THE ROAD TO IMPLEMENTATION

The National Traffic and Transport Plan (NVVP) and the 'Big Accessibility Push' (BOR) facilitate pilots with transportation pricing in the Netherlands. Political and social support are being anchored. Elements of this new policy are: let the user pay, and let individuals make their own choices. One of the transportation pricing strategies are toll express lanes. In the province of Zuid-Holland, a feasibility study is being done on two locations. The pilots will start in 2002 and take two years. The goals are to acquire knowledge on 'how express lanes work' and on drivers' willingness-to-pay. The project includes a lot of 'soft' research on marketing/communication, public support and market surveys. Public support and social issues are essential factors for success in such an innovative project. The main criteria in the feasibility study are: Can you make it and does it work; Can you have a good pilot project; and is there (local) support? The A4 location uses the extra capacity made in the second Beneluxtunnel project, and the A16 location paves a part of the wide central reserve. Two express lanes in California (USA) show, among other things, that: willingness-to-pay is a lot more than passing a bit of traffic jam (there are users in the middle of the night); involving road users is essential; and that a reliable technology is a condition for success. By signing the BOR in early October 2000, the final go/no go decision is made for the pilots. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206312.